25 Definition Examples

The definition is a proposition or a set of propositions that precisely and uniquely explain a concept, term or expression. It exposes the generic and distinctive aspects of a material or immaterial thing to differentiate it from the rest, for which it answers the question "What is it?". For example:A table is a piece of furniture made up of a horizontal board, supported by one or several feet, with the appropriate height to be able to carry out an activity or leave things on it.

It is a type of discursive resource that seeks to clarify, determine or define exactly the essential characteristics of a topic, either orally or in writing. The word "definition" comes from the Latin definitionem, which means 'limit' or 'explanation', that is, with the definition something is delimited and specified.

The definition consists of two very different parts:

• Definiendum. It is the lexical unit that will be defined. For example: The forest It is the extension of land densely populated with trees, bushes and bushes.
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• definitions. It is that part that defines the lexical unit. For example: the forest is the expanse of land densely populated with trees, shrubs, and bushes.

Attention: The definition should not be confused with the concept, since this is the mental image of a reality that is formed after abstracting and generalizing the characteristics that the objects have in common. Instead, the definition is the result of the process by which the meaning of the definition is specified. lexical unit and its qualities are detailed with precision, just as we can find them in the dictionary.

• See also: discursive resources

Characteristics of a definition

• Explains the meaning of a lexical unit (word, phrase or concept).
• It is concise, clear and brief.
• It is objective.
• It is practical (applied) and has various types.
• It is defined by the positive and the word to define is not repeated in the definiens.
• It tends to the specific details and to delimit a concrete referent.
• It belongs to the field of language, although its starting point is always a particular concept.

Classification of the definition

There are many ways to classify a definition. Some of these definition types are:

• Lexical definition. It is the one found in dictionaries and is based on the everyday language used by the speaking community. It is a kind of practical definition, descriptive and general, since its objective is that they be understood by all people. Its purpose is to be inclusive, as it seeks to capture everything that applies to the lexical unit. For example: The stripe is the long and thin line that is made naturally or artificially on a body or any surface.
• Intensional definition. It is one that specifies the necessary qualities of what it defines. It is the type of definition that only provides the properties required for the object to be included within the demarcation of the defined word. The most recurrent and traditional form of this definition is that of gender and difference. For example: Man is a rational animal.
• extensional definition. It is the one that refers to the extension that a term has in relation to all the objects that are defined by it. It usually lists objects that fit into the definition. This type of definition brings the problem that, in many cases, not all the members that belong to the defined term can be enumerated. For example: The definition of "dog" would be a list of all the breeds and types of dogs that exist on planet Earth.
• ostensive definition. It is one that uses examples to define something. It uses as a base a reference to which it is indicated to give the explanation of the term. It is a type of definition used in parenting and education in childhood, especially in abstract terms. For example: Red is the color we see in the Chinese flag.
• stipulative definition. It is the one that is used when a new meaning is given to a term, whether it is new or pre-existing. That is, it is a different definition than the one that term has in the dictionary. It is used to test a plot in a specific context, in which there is an agreement between the speakers who use it, where a certain definition is stipulated for a specific case. This type of definition is connotative and is subjective. For example: Let us suppose that we understand by estrangement the term conceptualized by Shklovsky in 1916 (Ostranenie) defined as the deautomatization of perception that can operate in art.
• Operational definition. It is the one used in quantum mechanics, statistical physics or relativity. This type of definition of a quantity is made by reference to the specific process by which its measurement is obtained. For example: The mass of an object can be defined operationally in terms of the specific steps of how to put an object on a scale.
• circle definition. It is one that presumes prior knowledge of the defined term. It is a type of definition criticized as there are cases of circular chains with many links, in which the query is not resolved. For example: Cork oak: tree that grows from an acorn. Acorn. Nut produced by a cork oak tree.
• Theoretical definition. It is one that provides the meaning of a word in terms of certain theories of a specific discipline. This type of definition assumes knowledge and acceptance of the theory in a given scientific community. For example: Bourdieu defines the field concept as a set of relations of force between agents or institutions, in the struggle for specific forms of domination and monopoly of a type of capital efficient at it.

Definition Examples

1. Sun is the star with its own light around which the Earth revolves. (lexical definition)
2. Heat is the sensation experienced when coming into contact with a hot body or being in a hot environment. (lexical definition)
3. Child is a person who is in the period of childhood. (lexical definition)
4. Intellect is the faculty of the mind that allows us to learn, understand, reason, make decisions and form a certain idea of ​​reality. (lexical definition)
5. Dog is a faithful animal and man's best friend. (intentional definition)
6. Chair is a piece of furniture used to sit. (intentional definition)
7. Book is a set of written sheets that is used to read. (intentional definition)
8. The good bacteria for the body are Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. (intentional definition)
9. Diapers are a hygiene item used by babies. (intentional definition)
10. When we speak of the Balts they include the Lithuanian, Latvian, Prussian, Yotvingian, Galindian, Selonian, Semigallian, Scalvian, Latgalian and Curonian peoples (extensional definition)
11. The linguistic varieties in Ecuador are made up of Ecuadorian Spanish and fourteen indigenous languages ​​from eight different linguistic families: A'ingae, Achuar Chicham, Awap'it, Cha'palaa, Kichwa Amazonico, Kichwa Sierra, Paicoca, Shimingae, Shiwiar Chicham, Sia Pedee, Shuar Chicham, Tsafiki, Wao Terero and Zapara. (extensional definition)
12. Continent is a large area of ​​land separated by oceans and they are Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. (extensional definition)
13. Celeste is the color of the sky. (ostensive definition)
14. A multinational State is, for example, Bolivia. (ostensive definition)
15. For the purposes of taking the driving test, an “adult” is considered to be anyone over the age of eighteen. (stipulative definition)
16. For the purposes of this study, a student was defined as any person who has ever attended an educational institute at any of its levels. (stipulative definition)
17. Object: a thing. Thing: an object. (circular definition)
18. Rake: an implement with three or more tines. Tooth: a part of a rake. (circular definition)
19. Doubt: Hesitancy of mind regarding religious beliefs. Hesitation: Perplexity, irresolution. Irresolution: Lack of resolution. Resolution: Action and effect of resolving or being resolved. Solve: Solve a problem, a doubt, a difficulty or something that involves them. (circular definition)
20. Arrogant: arrogant, arrogant. haughty: haughty, arrogant Arrogant: proud, arrogant. Proud: having pride. Pride: arrogance. Arrogance: arrogant quality. (circular definition)
21. A water-soluble substance is one that, submerged in water, dissolves. (operational definition)
22. Nationalism is defined as always getting up when listening to the national anthem or always choosing national products for consumption in the market. (operational definition)
23. The number π (pi) will be taken in these equations as 3.14. (operational definition)
24. According to the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, the linguistic sign is an entity with two faces: it is the union between a concept or idea (meaning) and an acoustic image (signifier). (theoretical definition)
25. The difference is a neologism of a philosophical nature, homophone of the French word difference proposed by the French thinker Jacques Derrida and that refers to the fact that something cannot be symbolized because it overflows the representation. (theoretical definition)

Interactive exercise to practice

Follow with:

• analogies
• Verbatim quotes
• Exemplification
• interrogative sentences